74 Azimut Magellano 2010

Source: Power & Motoryacht Magazine

While Italians voyaged around the world 500 years ago, lately this country’s yachtsmen have not been known for long distance power cruising, nor have the yachtsmen of most other European countries. Indeed, for the last 50 years or so, world cruising in motoryachts has been the purview of Americans, for the most part. Evidently Azimut thinks that is about to change. That aspect of yachting fostered by clunky-looking trawler work boats, island freighters, and shrimp boats has now come to boat-building’s equivalent of the fashion runways of Paris – Viareggio, Italy, home of Azimut/Benetti. They don’t build old-fashioned anything there.

Azimut appears to be quite serious about their first entry into a different market. Granted it is only putting its toe in the water, and it is hedging its bets with a yacht that can travel at 25 knots and is semi-displacement. Nevertheless, Azimut has been very careful about the construction weight on board, keeping the Magellano 74 to 123,000 lbs. (55,909 kgs). She is powered by twin Cat C-18s, developing 1015-hp each. She holds 2,007 gallons (7,626 L) of fuel and 396 gal. (1,504 L) of water. We think this speed potential is going to appeal to a lot of people, and certainly many more than would go ga-ga over this yacht if she went only 9.3 knots, or so.

If the past is any guide, the world is in for a treat, because Azimut approaches everything in its own very artistic and Romantic way. At first what it creates may not seem practical or even realistic, but it is always beautiful – and different. Over time, we have found that its creations tend to grow most moss-backed traditional yachtsmen, at least to some degree. We love Italian boat builders because they have no small dreams, their visions soar on the wings of fertile imaginations that must be part of their DNA. When it comes to describing what they do, we’re afraid that our linier Anglo-Saxon minds are no match for their lyrical language. Try this paragraph on for size which we lifted from one of Azimuts’s press releases–

Following is how Azimut describes its venture into the sea of world cruising in its own words–

“The spirit of travel is back…The Magellano 74 is the yacht for anyone who has a real passion for the sea, loves to move in a relaxed way, stop whenever they want to take a photograph and for those who love to plan their route mile after mile because the journey is more important for them than the destination.

“At the same time, the Azimut Magellano is also the ideal power yacht for long distances, exploring new horizons and tackling waves and choppy or rough seas. With a deep V-hull in the bow sections, the Magellano is classed as a semi-displacement motoryacht although it is unlike any other category to date.

For Long Range Operation

“More than a navetta, a trawler or an expedition yacht, the Magellano has a number of special characteristics that place it at the top of a new generation. The Magellano is dedicated to those who want to sail their own boats themselves in close contact with family or friends; it is for those who love freedom and often informality without sacrificing comfort. She has been designed for users who do not limit their desire to explore, yet do not push their supreme passion to extremes.

“With over 1100 nautical miles of autonomy at a speed of 12 knots, the Magellano 74 can reach any destination due to the possibility of accelerating up to 24 knots. She maintains stability both when sailing and when moored by using a Seakeeper gyro stabilizer system [that obviates the need for fins protruding from the vessel’s hull].

Designed for Owner/Operators

“The comfort and safety were paramount objects for the project. The helm station is central both on the flybridge and inside to ensure increased visibility. The stern guardrail and the forward bulwarks are high to offer protection when the sea is rough. The external walkways are extremely safe and, at 60 cm (24 inches), wide. You can move freely in the bow area because it is free of clutter thanks to an automated mooring system that hides the anchor away into a special space.

“The stairs on board are especially wide to enable you to move around freely even when carrying materials and equipment. The 3.8 m (12’4”) tender can be kept in a garage and there is no need for a crane for launching and hauling it in. On the main deck, the boat owner finds the same level of comfort you would expect to find on an Azimut yacht as well as organization of space and furnishings designed for long stays on board.

Designed for Social Interaction

“First of all, there is a single open space extending from the wheelhouse to the [aft deck] created so that the boat owner and guests can share space and time together. The galley is located at the entrance to the salon to make it easier to serve the external dining areas (aft deck and flybridge) as well as the internal one.

“The flybridge is fitted out as another secluded area where there is room to sunbath by relaxing on the two chaise lounges or lunch in an exclusive spot in the shade of the hard top. Space is comfort and in addition to three exclusive suites, the Magellano offers another cabin accessed from the salon that can be used by the crew but can also accommodate extra guests when necessary.

“The same access leads to an area used entirely for storage which is particularly important when embarking on cruises that last several days.

Boat Specifications: